Ontaneda between the Palacio, thermal spring and Vía Verde

Ontaneda combines its riverside setting, architectural heritage, routes and Cantabrian traditions. The town lies on the left bank of the Pas River. Its thermal spring, historic buildings, former railway connections and regional festivals provide several distinct ways of approaching the town’s history.

Landscape and nature trails

Ontaneda has a sulphurous thermal spring that has been known since Roman times. After crossing the northern part of Ontaneda, the Ruta del Agua continues towards Sel del Tojo. The Ruta del Agua also heads towards the Palacio de Ontaneda, which is also called the Palacio de Semprún. Further along, the Ruta del Agua enters a habitat within the Natura 2000 network. After 1.5 kilometres, the Ruta del Agua approaches the centre of Ontaneda.

The different route connections help you organise nature and cultural themes for your own daily itinerary. The thermal spring and the destinations named along the Ruta del Agua represent different thematic focuses within the town and its immediate surroundings.

History and architectural heritage

The Palacio de Ontaneda was built in the 18th century by Francisco de Bustamante y Guerra. Today, the Palacio de Ontaneda houses the Centro de Estudios Históricos del Ferrocarril Español. The Palacio de Ontaneda hosted Isabel II. Its current use and its historical connection with Isabel II add two different historical references to its architectural history.

The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista in Ontaneda is a Neo-Gothic temple built between the 17th and 18th centuries. The ensemble of notable manor houses in Ontaneda points to phases of development and the presence of historically important families in this area.

The traditional washing places in Ontaneda are ethnographic features that contribute to an understanding of the town’s everyday history. Together with the manor houses, they broaden the perspective from representative architecture to earlier aspects of daily life.

Routes and cycling connections

The former Ontaneda railway station now serves as a tourist information office. The Vía Verde del Pas begins near the former Ontaneda railway station. The Vía Verde route passes Ontaneda’s municipal swimming pool.

The Circuito de Ontaneda passes a figure honouring the salmon. The Circuito de Ontaneda is a safe section that avoids the original railway line, which was altered by a timber company.

The montañés boleras in Ontaneda are regarded as traditional centres of social interaction. The combination of cycling routes, tourist information and local symbolism can be considered separately according to the route and the town’s culture.

Nature trails, cultural sites and regional traditions represent different thematic focuses. For your own planning, these connections can therefore be distinguished according to landscape, former railway line, local history and local symbolism.

Traditions and dates

La Boñiguera, also known as Muñiguera, takes place every year on the first Saturday in June. The La Boñiguera celebration ends at the hermitage of Sel del Tojo.

Ontaneda is associated with the production of the traditional Cantabrian sweets Sobaos and Quesadas. Alongside the architectural and route-related themes, the two names establish a culinary connection within the local tradition.

An autumn market featuring handmade products is scheduled to take place on Plaza de Ontaneda on the first Sunday in October. Thus, over the course of the year, a celebration with a named destination and a market in the centrally named square take place side by side.

For the overall travel overview: Corvera De Toranzo.